Radiation and pain

jch955

Hi all,

I am currently undergoing radiation therapy to my breast & the sites of my lymph nodes (8 removed, 2 positive). I'm having pain in my breast but, that's not too bad. What really hurts is where the incision site was for the lymph node removal/dissection. It's really dark in about 2" diameter around it and the actual site becomes "weepy" and is very, very sore - kind of raw feeling. There's no bleeding, no pink staining. I've used corn starch to keep it dry but that really seems to cause itching in the area.

Do any of you have, or have had, the same issue? If so, what do/did you do?

gb2115

I had weeping incisions during radiation but it was caused by a delayed allergy to the surgical glue they used on me. The fact that it was weeping didn't affect the radiation, but the radiation didn't cause it either. I kept non stick gauze over the lumpectomy incision (tucked into my bra to avoid adhesive), but left the lymph node scar open to air because there was no way to really cover it. They eventually dried up once the skin under the glue sloughed off. Those were bad times.

Is the entire 2" diameter sore and weepy, or just at the incision line? Do you feel like your incision is open?

Have you shown it to the staff at your radiation center? I had to go to derm to get help with my skin issues.

jch955

Yes, they actually did give me a prescription for lidocaine cream along with a silver-based ointment (to avoid any possible infection). The site around the area is very sore and the skin is getting very dark (purpleish). The incision is NOT open (thankfully). The doctor took a look yesterday and it's not uncommon, according to him. Under my breast, the skin is also thinning and the ointment is to be used there, as well. Other than those two things, I just have an overall rash and slight blistering with itching. Lotion, lotion, lotion...

BTW, I did have an issue about 3 weeks after my 2nd lumpectomy which is when they removed the drain for the lymph. It looked damp, then it was "weeping", which progressed into a gusher of fluid. Apparently, the fluid had built up after the drain was removed and it had nowhere to go other than the weakest point of the incision from the internal sutures. I had to use a Tena overnight-sized pad to contain it! It started out pinkish and turned bloody. Once that passed, oh, it felt SO much better! I slept really well that night!

gb2115

Well at least they gave you something to put on it---guess all you can do is wait it out.

Hope you feel better soon--how much longer do you have to go?

jch955

8 more...beginning today, they're targeting just the breast area, so the good news is that the area under my arm won't be irradiated any more!

Thanks so much for your input!

gb2115

Oh that's good! Hope it heals up quickly for you!!